Introduction Nutrition screening is an initial procedure in which the risk of malnutrition is identified. The aims of this review were to identify malnutrition risk from nutrition screening studies that have used validated nutrition screening tools in community living older adults; and to identify types of nutrition interventions, pathways of care and patient outcomes following screening. Methods A systematic literature search was performed for the period from January 1994 until December 2013 using SCOPUS, CINAHL Plus with Full Text, PubMed and COCHRANE databases as well as a manual search. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were determined for the literature searches and the methodology followed the PRISMA guidelines. Results Fiftyfour articles were eligible to be included in the review and malnutrition risk varied from 0% to 83%. This large range was influenced by the different tools used and heterogeneity of study samples. Most of the studies were cross sectional and without a subsequent nutrition intervention component. Types of nutrition intervention that were identified included dietetics care, nutrition education, and referral to Meals on Wheels services and community services. These interventions helped to improve the' nutritional status of older adults. Conclusions Timely nutrition screening of older adults living in the community, if followed up with appropriate intervention and monitoring improves the nutritional status of older adults. This indicates that nutrition intervention should be considered a priority following nutrition screening for malnourished and at risk older adults. Further evaluation of outcomes of nutrition screening and associated interventions, using structured pathways of care, is warranted. Abstract IntroductionNutrition screening is an initial procedure in which the risk of malnutrition is identified. The aims of this review were to identify malnutrition risk from nutrition screening studies that have used validated nutrition screening tools in community living older adults; and to identify types of nutrition interventions, pathways of care and patient outcomes following screening. MethodsA systematic literature search was performed for the period from January 1994 until December 2013 using SCOPUS, CINAHL Plus with Full Text, PubMed and COCHRANE databases as well as a manual search. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were determined for the literature searches and the methodology followed the PRISMA guidelines. ResultsFifty-four articles were eligible to be included in the review and malnutrition risk varied from 0 % to 83%. This large range was influenced by the different tools used and heterogeneity of study samples. Most of the studies were cross sectional and without a subsequent nutrition intervention component. Types of nutrition intervention that were identified included dietetics care, nutrition education, and referral to Meals on Wheels services and community services. These interventions helped to improve the' nutritional status of older adults. ConclusionsTimely ...

Aim To determine if a model of home-based dietetic care improves dietary intake and weight status in a specific group of older adults post-hospitalisation. MethodsThe Department of Veterans' Affairs clients aged 65 years and over were recruited from hospitals in a regional area of New South Wales, Australia (n = 32 men, n = 36 women). Nutritional status was assessed at home at baseline (within two weeks post-discharge) and three months post-discharge using a diet history, a food frequency checklist and Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA). Personalised dietary advice was provided by a single dietitian according to participants' nutritional status.Results Mean body weight improved significantly (P = 0.048), as well as mean MNA score (21.9 ± 3.5 vs 25.2 ± 3.1) (P < 0.001). Mean energy, protein and micronutrient intakes were adequate at baseline and three months, except for vitamin D. At three months, the underweight group (body mass index (BMI) < 23 kg/m 2 ) had significantly higher mean protein intake per body weight (1.7 ± 0.4 g/kg) compared to those who were a desirable weight (BMI 23-27 kg/m 2 ) (1.4 ± 0.3 g/kg) or overweight (BMI>27 kg/m 2 ) (1.1 ± 0.3 g/kg) peers (P < 0.001). There was significant improvement in energy intake contributed from oral nutrition supplements (+95.5 ± 388.2 kJ/day) and milk (+259.6 ± 659.8 kJ/day).Conclusions Dietetic intervention improved nutritional status 3 months after hospital discharge in older adults living in the community. Methods: Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) patients aged 65 years and over were recruited from hospitals in a regional area of New South Wales, Australia (n=32 men, n=36 women). Nutritional status was assessed at home at baseline (within 2 weeks post discharge) and 3 months post discharge using a diet history, food frequency checklist There was a significant improvement in energy intake contributed from oral nutrition supplements (+95.5±388.2kJ/day) and milk (+259.6±659.8 kJ/day). Conclusions:Dietetic intervention improved nutritional status 3 months after hospital discharge in older adults living in the community.

In Australia, older adults aged 75+ years are encouraged to avail themselves of the comprehensive 75+ health assessment (75+ HA) to identify medical conditions and highlight potential risk factors for poor health. However, uptake of this item has been reported to be low. This study aimed to identify the uptake of the 75+ HA within regional areas of New South Wales and compare this against state and national trends over an 11-year period. Data on uptake of the 75+ HA for item numbers 700 and 702, from 1999 until 2010, were obtained from the Medicare Australia portal and Department of Health and Ageing databases. Trends over time were collated and compared at the regional, state and national level. The study found that an increasing number of the 75+ HAs were performed from 1999 to 2009. Overall, the uptake of the 75+ HA is generally low across Australia, at ~20% of the eligible population, but varied across states and even regions within states. The study also revealed that despite low uptake encouraging trends were evident over a decade of 75+ HA implementation. It is argued that strategies in improving the uptake should be targeted for early identification of health risk and overall improved quality of health in older adults. KeywordsGeneral practice, older adults, primary health care, primary prevention . Overall, the uptake of the 75+ HA was generally low across Australia, at ~20% of the eligible population, but varied across states and even regions within states. The study also revealed that despite low uptake encouraging trends were evident over a decade of 75+ HA implementation. It is argued that strategies in improving the uptake should be targeted for early identification of health risk and overall improved quality of health in older adults.

BackgroundNutrition screening in older adults is not routinely performed in Australian primary care settings. Low awareness of the extent of malnutrition in this patient group, lack of training and time constraints are major barriers that practice staff face. This study aimed to demonstrate the feasibility of including a validated nutrition screening tool and accompanying nutrition resource kit for use with older patients attending general practice. Secondary aims were to assess nutrition-related knowledge of staff and to identify the extent of malnutrition in this patient group.MethodsNine general practitioners, two general practice registrars and 11 practice nurses from three participating general practices in a rural, regional and metropolitan area within a local health district of New South Wales, Australia were recruited by convenience sampling.Individual in-depth interviews, open-ended questionnaires and an 11-item knowledge questionnaire were completed three months following in-practice group workshops on the Mini Nutritional Assessment Short Form (MNA-SF). Staff were encouraged to complete the MNA-SF within the Medicare-funded 75+ Health Assessment within this time period. Staff interviews were digitally recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically using qualitative analysis software QSR NVivo 10.ResultsFour key themes were determined regarding the feasibility of performing MNA –SF: ease of use; incorporation into existing practice; benefit to patients’ health; and patients’ perception of MNA-SF. Two key themes related to the nutrition resource kit: applicability and improvement. These findings were supported by open ended questionnaire responses. Knowledge scores of staff significantly improved from baseline (52% to 66%; P < 0.05). Of the 143 patients that had been screened, 4.2% (n = 6) were classified as malnourished, 26.6% (n = 38) ‘at risk’ of malnutrition and 69.2% (n = 99) as well-nourished.ConclusionIt is feasible to include the MNA-SF and a nutrition resource kit within routine general practice, but further refinement of patients’ electronic clinical records in general practice software would streamline this process.